AWS in SteelFab Middle East 2025

SteelFab is Middle East’s leading trade show for the metal working, metal manufacturing, and steel fabrication industries for the UAE, GCC, and MENA region. It caters to the entire gamut of auxiliary segments of the fabrication industry in a much-focused manner through its special segments such as Power Tools, Machine Tools, Welding & Cutting and Tube & Pipe. The event brings together governments, associations, and business leaders from the steel industry. Since its inception in 2004, SteelFab has been in line with the UAE’s industrial sector dynamism, creating vast opportunities for companies to enhance their business networks, create brand awareness, and meet industry experts and technology leaders. 

For its 20th year, SteelFab took place between January 13th and 16th 2025 at Expo Center Sharjah in United Arab Emirates. AWS participated in this leading show along with the Middle East Industrial Training Institute (MEITI). Located in Abu Dhabi, MEITI is an internationally accredited training provider of technical, management, and skills training courses. In 2006, the MEITI (known as Middle East Training Centre, or MEITC at that time) obtained an accreditation from the American Welding Society and became an AWS Accredited Test Facility. AWS recognized the MEITC as a Certified Welding Fabricator, Educational Institution Member, participating organization to the AWS SENSE Program, and International Agent to AWS Certification.

At SteelFab 2025, AWS collaborated with MEITI and shared a booth. The support of Mr. Hytham Akkila, Board Member, MEITI; Mr. Riad Al-Soufi, Operations Head, MEITI; and Zayed H Almansoori, Marketing Head, MEITI paved the path for a productive experience for AWS at the show.

Representing the American Welding Societ was Mr. Ramesh Shankaran, Regional Director – International Certification & Accreditation, AWS. His presentation in the Middle East Steel Summit — titled “Welding Workforce – Bridge the Skilled Manpower Gap" — touched upon the following points:

• The current state of the welding industry
• The demands of the welding industry
• How to collectively address the skilled manpower gap
• Skill-based courses vs. conventional degrees
• Industry requirements and AWS offerings

SteelFab 2025 offered attendees an excellent platform to build professional relationships, exchange information, and find opportunities for collaboration. 

For more information about next year's event, please visit the SteelFab 2026 website here.